THE firm behind a vision to operate a data centre from Warrington\u2019s former Unilever site is seeking an opinion on the potential environmental impacts.<\/p>\n
As previously reported, new life is set to be breathed into the industrial premises, which closed down back in October 2020 and is located next to Bank Quay railway station.<\/p>\n
The halting of the production line at Unilever’s Crosfields factory marked the end of centuries of soap-making in Warrington \u2013 an industry as synonymous with the town as wireworks and breweries.<\/p>\n
Planning permission was previously granted to demolish buildings at the site, and Dante FS Group formally acquired four acres of the site in November for an undisclosed fee from EcoVyst.<\/p>\n
The latter firm will continue to operate from sections of the site, as will PQ Corporation, with Dante buying land closest to the train station, including the visible blue buildings and white Unilever tanks.<\/p>\n
Named Platform at Bank Quay, a \u2018next-generation, state-of-the-art modular data centre\u2019 is \u2018set to power the UK\u2019s growing AI economy\u2019 from the site going forward, in what is hoped will also bring high-tech jobs to the town.<\/p>\n
Before then, all of the necessary permissions must be sought, with an environmental impact assessment screening opinion application having now been submitted to Warrington Borough Council.<\/p>\n
This is ahead of a full planning application, with the screening opinion setting out where there is the potential for significant environmental effects to occur and how they will be addressed.<\/p>\n
In planning documents, Dante FS Group said: \u201cThe existing site comprises various buildings with the former use that are currently in the process of being demolished to slab level.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe data centre is proposed to be delivered in on a phased basis. The first phase would entail the introduction of four to six modular containers.<\/p>\n
The Warrington Unilever Crosfields site ahead of demolition work commencing. Pictures: Dave Gillespie<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cooling system would comprise a v-block cooler, which is supported by associated infrastructure powered by the existing electrical supply associated with the former building units, hence there is no requirement for any fuel cell system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first phase would operate until the wider site demolition process has been completed, and then subsequent phases, such as the main data centre, would be developed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe subsequent phases involve the introduction of further, double-stacked data modules, cooling systems, and fuel cell systems.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to plans, the proposed development would be situated within a secure self-contained compound, protected by 358 mesh fencing and matching gates.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage, it is anticipated that the construction of the data centre would take circa six months, undertaken between 8am and 6pm on weekdays. Once operational, it would constantly operate,\u201d documents add.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proposed development would provide important infrastructure that facilitates the storing, processing, and distributing of digital data that is increasingly important to our day-to-day lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt provides investment and brings a currently vacant, previously developed piece of employment land within Warrington back into use.<\/p>\n
\u201cConstruction on previously developed urban land is clearly favoured. Due to the nature of the site, it would not impact ecological resources compared to a greenfield site, and it therefore has a positive environmental benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving regard to the characteristics, scale, potential impacts of the development, and the sensitivity of the area, the proposed development is not considered to result in a significant environmental impact for the purposes of an EIA.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost environmental impacts arising from the proposed development have the potential to be avoided or mitigated through the planning application process.\u201d<\/p>\n